Tag Archives: distress stain

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a workshop in Cambridge with the very talented Anna Dabrowska. She is a mixed-media artist, designer & teacher from Poland, and Karen Ellis, owner of The Art House was fortunate enough to host this 5 hour class, where we created mixed-media journals, learning Anna’s collage style of using rich layers & details. The time flew as I gessoed, painted with my fingers and learned new uses for masking tape and tea bags!

Since I am not the apron-type, and we were asked to bring them, I dug deep and found my university lab coat. Speaking of school, I have to admit I love learning. Sign me up for a class every week and I’d be there (if money grew on trees — which incidentally it doesn’t in Canada anymore). Sometimes you learn new things, sometimes you realize the way you are going about it is good too. I love walking down the business and school supplies aisles — don’t even get me started on back to school sales.

Here is my latest business card — made using Avery shipping tags:

I have a hard time sticking to one business card. As I evolve, I try to incorporate new products & techniques that I am using into my business cards. It is cost effective and people seem to love them. So here is a little tutorial on how I create them:

STEP 1: I make them in batches using AVERY 13035 Shipping Tags size 5. The cards are placed on a Ranger non-stick Craft Sheet.

STEP 2: I use Ranger Adirondack Colour Wash dyes. All the colours coordinate, so you can’t mess up — they blend beautifully.

STEP 3: Spray 2 squirts of 3 sprays onto the craft sheet.

STEP 4: Smoosh the tag across the colours, checking the tag as you go until it is full of colour.Then either air dry or use a heating tool (I use the Ranger Heat It Craft Tool) to quickly dry the tags.

STEP 5: I choose a stencil then along with Ranger Distress Stain in Picket Fence, I stencil on the tag.

STEP 6: To use up the stain on the stencil, I flip the stencil over and press it onto another tag to transfer the residual stain. Dry.

STEP 7: Choose a stamp, ink it & stamp on image on tag.

STEP 8: Place pertinent information on the flip side. I used AVERY 18663 Clear Mailing Labels. Tie on raffia or ribbon to finish.